“Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Mt 20:16
The 40 Days for Life first began in Texas in 2004, when four people came together and prayed for a way to end abortion in their community. They decided to pray, fast, and keep vigil at the local Planned Parenthood abortion clinic for 40 days and nights. They also began doing outreach to get other people involved, spreading the word door to door and by word of mouth. By the end of that first 40 days, hundreds of people were involved in this prayerful, peaceful movement that has since grown to encompass over 700 cities in 44 nations worldwide.
The 40 Days for Life first came to the Tri-Cities in 2008, its leaders drawn from our local Catholic parishes. I was part of that first team; it was also the first pro-life action I had ever been involved with. That year's Kick-off Rally was the first time I spoke publicly about the grief and regret I silently suffered for many years after my own abortion losses. Before that time, I remained silent on abortion, thinking it more compassionate not to call attention to women who turned to that awful and desperate solution. But I came to realize that silence only worsened the problem. I had gotten to know many people in the pro-life movement , and finally understood that they were not offering condemnation but real, loving assistance, healing, help, and mercy. So I joined them and began to pray, speak, write, and work for life.
Although I was a latecomer to the prolife movement, many of my 40 Days for Life teammates had long been fighting to end the injustice and tragedy of abortion. I remember one elderly man, a St. Joseph’s Knight, who had been working to end abortion for at least 33 years before 40 Days for Life began. His name was Dick Gilmore. He had been organizing weekly rosaries and prayers at the local Planned Parenthood ever since they first opened their abortion center in the Tri-Cities. Suddenly, he found himself surrounded by novice prayer volunteers from all over the community. Dick did not resent the presence of the newcomers at the “frontlines,” but welcomed us. That first campaign was a 24/7 vigil for 40 cold days and nights in the Fall of 2008. Although he was in his eighties, Dick showed up at all hours, even the middle of the night, bringing prayer cards, rosaries, crosses and ideas.
At the end of that first campaign, we gathered to celebrate and praise God for the mercies He had shown during the 40 days. I was watching as Dick looked around at over 200 prayer volunteers, and broke down in tears of joy. I felt grateful and honored to be counted in his company, the last joining with the first, working together to defend human life.
Requiem en Pacem,
Richard Francis Gilmore
Nov. 11, 1924 - Sept 16, 2016
"You, too, go into my Vineyard."
Link to the Complete Text of the Readings for Sunday, Sept. 24th, 2017
"You, too, go into my Vineyard."
Link to the Complete Text of the Readings for Sunday, Sept. 24th, 2017
It’s not too late to join us in God’s vineyard if you haven’t already.
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